THEMATIC CHECKLIST STEPS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS
1. Observation
2. Site Analysis
3. Brief
4. Draw Base Plan
5. Concept
6. Layout Zones
7. Earthworks
8. Structures
9. Species Selection
10.Timelines
11. Costing
12. Presentation
13. Implementation
1. OBSERVATION
Spend time noticing what is happening on site. Use senses - listen, look, smell, touch,
taste and feel. Use intuition. Make no lasting judgements - just notice - what are your
impressions. Write it down.
2. SITE ANALYSIS
Map, boundaries, property size, neighbours (what's happening upstream, upwind and around),
proximity to main roads, towns, cities, ports, industries etc (external resources).
Topography: from contour maps, mark valleys and ridges, determine slope gradients (keyline).
Aspect (orientation), sun angles (including horizon points).
Wind: wind roses for area, damaging winds, desirable winds.
Climate: average rainfall and distribution, temperatures - max/min, storms, hail, frost,
humidity, light, altitude.
Microclimates.
Soils & Geology: soil maps of area, agricultural studies, soil types, analysis, depth,
drainage and absorption, stability of site.
Hydrology: drainage patterns, springs, creeks and streams, surface water, catchment - size &
quality, flood levels, water reticulation.
Views: good, bad, where time will be spent (need to create views?)
Utilities: electricity, gas, town water, sewerage, telephone.
Council Activities: public transport, fire brigade, council rubbish collection, recycling,
spraying?
Traffic and access - existing roads, farm roads, new roads required? frequency of traffic,
heavy or light vehicles, pedestrian traffic.
Structures : house, shed, buildings.
Vegetation: flora, forests, exotic spp present, ground covers, poisonous plants, rare spp -
state of health of all of the above.
Fauna: - native and exotic/introduced spp. Local 'pest' species and creatures causing fear
(snakes, spiders, green ants etc).
History: logged, cropped, pasture, sprayed, farm dump sites (talk to locals, study old
books/maps/photos). Aboriginal history. Landmark disasters (what years).
Rules and Regulations: Council constraints (and other govt agencies): zoning, permission of
land use, water use, easements.
Future plans for the area: subdivisions planned, industry, tourism
Problems and hazards: fire, flood, contamination, noise/air/visual pollution
Potentials and assets: waterfalls, suitable windmill/hydraulic ram sites, views, rock
outcrops, historic value etc
Resources in neighbourhood: sugar mills, sawmills, factories, hospitals, schools, shops,
firestations, dump, free plant & seed sources, sand gravel, timber, mulch, water, fodder,
clay, stone, machinery
Imports/Exports: Food, building materials, fossil fuels, mulch, rubbish etc
IDENTIFY AREAS OF FURTHER RESEARCH.
3. BRIEF for all people living on site. (talk to them separately if possible, do it on the
property)
Name and age of client. Ownership details. Address of property.
Names and ages of all other residents showing relationship to client.
Occupations: of all people on site. Pets:
Needs: Food requirements, shelter, etc. Dreams: Everyones' wish list.
Future plans: Goals for life/property.
Lifestyle: Likes, dislikes, values. How is each person's time spent?Financial budget: What
money do you have to work with?
Personal resources: Everyones' skills, knowledge, information resources, hobbies, health.
Community contacts: Friends, acquaintances, organisation memberships.
Favourite foods/species: fruits, meats, veges, flowers.
4. Draw Base Plan
Put your observations and findings on paper. Your basemap should contain everything
existing on property. Remember to mark north, and put everything to scale. Using overlays
here and in the later stages can be very useful.
5. Concept
What is your client wanting to achieve? Do they want to make money out of their property?
Do they want to be more self-reliant/ethical/environmentally friendly? Why do they want a
permaculture design carried out? The more general the concept the better - commercial
orchard rather than mangos; some form of income rather than a commercial orchard.
6. Layout Zones
Set out approximate areas of activity. The overall pattern. Remember zones farthest away get
the least attention.
7. Earthworks
Draw in and schedule any earthworks to be done i.e. house excavations, dams, earth banks,
swales, drains etc.
8. Structures
Plan location of the structures wanted - mark out all intended structures so site can be
designed accordingly (even if they are in the long-term plan).
9. Species Selection
Plan location for vegetation and animals, taking into account likes and dislikes of clients
and reasons for including each species. Remember to plan for mature size of plants (plant
sacrificial species to fill gaps until that time).
10. Timelines
Schedule events. Remember to take into account seasons, budget, personpower, plant growth
etc. Specific short term plans and general long term plans.
11. Costing
The client will need an estimate to suit their financial situation. Work within their
means.
12. Presentation
This is an important time. If you have listened to and followed the directions of your
client, they will have a management plan that they feel motivated to (and can easily)
follow. Remember this is their property - not yours (unless of course it is yours!) and it
must suit the people who live there if it is going to be completed. The more detail and
direction you can give them, the more likely it is the design will succeed, but the plan
must be flexible. Make sure the client understands the principles behind the design, so
that appropriate modifications can be made. Depending on the situation, your presentation
can be as professional or as casual as your client requires - tailor it to them.
AND NOW COMES IMPLEMENTATION!!!!! WELL DONE!!!!!